Lessons from King David, King Solomon, Ant, and Hoopoe Story

But let there be spaces in your togetherness and let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another but make not a bond of love: let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. {Khalil Gibran}

At Christmas, I am always struck by how the spirit of togetherness lies also at the heart of the Christmas story. A young mother and a dutiful father with their baby were joined by poor shepherds and visitors from afar. They came with their gifts to worship the Christ child. {Queen Elizabeth II}

There is no heavy burden when we together lift it. Get organized and work together, so everything will be lighter. I was a member of some organizations several years ago: Writers Organization, English Learners Organizations, Students Organizations, etc. Sometimes I thought that I can do something alone and want to get away of those organizations. The reason is because I found a lot of problems in. “Everybody is different,” that’s the matter that cause those problems. I had a lot of debate with other members, especially the seniors.

In organization a member command others is common. “I will do it, you do that,” means they work together. One thing made me got fired when I was assigned to work with unskilled members. I preferred to work alone in such situation. My consideration was “It should be done quickly.” I was always in hurry at that time.

However, I got a lot of valuable things from those organizations. Now I know one thing that makes an organization broken up, based on my experience. Some organizations I joined were no longer existed. It is not only trouble makers do, but also the members who cannot tolerate others who make mistake as they don’t intend to do it. I found this as a big problem when I was in those organizations. Tolerance is important as the entire members of the organization is human, not angel who is absent of mistake. But, do not over tolerant.

I moved to another town and did not join any organization. I did everything alone. Until now I do not join any organization. Then, now I understand how important togetherness is.

I have just listened to a speech about Achieving Unity. There is a great story in that speech. It was the story about King David, King Solomon, Ants, and Hoopoe. They made interaction though they were different creatures: humans and animals. This story was written in a holy book Quran, start from the verse fifteenth.

A King and His entire army stopped marching because of an ant.

Quran An Naml (The Ant)15) And We had certainly given to David and Solomon knowledge, and they said, "Praise [is due] to Allah, who has favored us over many of His believing servants."16) And Solomon inherited David. He said, "O people, we have been taught the language of birds, and we have been given from all things. Indeed, this is evident bounty."17) And gathered for Solomon was his soldiers of the jinn and men and birds, and they were [marching] in rows.18) Until, when they came upon the valley of the ants, an ant said, "O ants, enter your dwellings that you not be crushed by Solomon and his soldiers while they perceive not."19) So [Solomon] smiled, amused at her speech, and said, "My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to do righteousness of which You approve. And admit me by Your mercy into [the ranks of] Your righteous servants."20) And he took attendance of the birds and said, "Why do I not see the hoopoe - or is he among the absent?21) I will surely punish him with a severe punishment or slaughter him unless he brings me clear authorization."22) But the hoopoe stayed not long and said, "I have encompassed [in knowledge] that which you have not encompassed, and I have come to you from Sheba with certain news.23) Indeed, I found [there] a woman ruling them, and she has been given of all things, and she has a great throne.

"On another day while sailing over a valley where there were many swarms of ants, Solomon heard one ant say to the others, 'Enter your houses; otherwise Solomon's legions will destroy you.'... (jewishencyclopedia.com)

The lesson from this story is Unity (Togetherness), Nashihah (Advice), Caring, Love, Tolerance.

Unity (Togetherness)King Solomon and his entire army were united. His army consists of jinn, men and birds. King Solomon was the leader. Whatever He said, the entire army will follow it. So does the ants. They also have a leader.

Nashihah (Advice)If you do not see any harm behind you, your friends see it. That is the simple illustration togetherness works. When King Solomon and His entire army reached the valley, not all ants knew and realized it. But, the leader warned all of them. This warning is and advice. In daily life, it can be parent or teachers say, “Don’t do it, it’s not good for your future.” The parent and the teachers know the harm.

Caring and LoveThey care each other. If they did not care each other, no need to warn the other that there was harm coming. And the Hoopoe, it brought important news to King Solomon. This Hoopoe would do it because of care. It knew what King Solomon did not know, and it told Him. They love each other.

ToleranceTolerance means giving other people chance to do or to have something. The entire ants were giving one ant to have authority upon them, to give command on them. They did not respond by saying, “What the hell are you saying…!” So did King Solomon, He allowed the Hoopoe to tell the news, though he had been suspected of the one which was absent.

The story may be not really meaningful for some people. I knew this story several years ago in Islamic class, but I have just got the lessons after listening to a speech “Achieving Unity” by Mufti Ismail Menk. For me, and for some readers, this story is really meaningful.

King David and King Solomon had ability to understand animal language, but they did not arrogant. They did not feel being above others and claiming others as lower grade. They don’t. They did not claim the ability of understanding animal language as their greatness, but they admit it as bounty from their creator.

Comments

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Author

Sunardi 3 years agofrom Indonesia

Thanks for your visit, DDE.

Devika Primić 3 years agofrom Dubrovnik, Croatia

Interesting and a fascinating story. Greatly mentioned!

Author

Sunardi 3 years agofrom Indonesia

Laral, in my country Indonesia there are also some extremist Muslim communities. Whereas, Islam came to this country through the culture brought by Wali Songo (Nine Saints of Islam). Some resources told it was brought by Chinese Muslim, Ceng Ho. These Nine Saints of Islam later mixed the Islamic practice with the local culture. They comprehended Islam contextually, while most extremists just understand the text of Quran or hadith.

Extremism is a cause of degradation of Education. They don't want to think too much, they don't want to make more considerations. It is educational problem, not religious problem, I think.

laral 3 years agofrom England

Hi

It comes at the right time, I guess, after the Paris attack. I posted on my Facebook. I'm not Muslim but I'm concern about my Muslim friends. They are good people and wonderful friends to me. Thank you for the hub a wonderful start of Sunday day.

Author

Sunardi 3 years agofrom Indonesia

Thanks, Frank. I need to find more references about this history. I will add later.